For too long, climate change has been largely ignored—by the media, by the government, and by our tendency to only focus on what immediately concerns us. Besides rare events, like the climatic catastrophe the world just witnessed in Typhoon Haiyan, climate change is normally an abstract problem that we easily put out of our minds. And yet, the past few weeks have seen climate change become a major topic on campus, due in large part to the new referendum process. The final vote is a victory for Fossil Free Yale and the campaign to convince Yale to divest from fossil fuels—not simply due to the fact that the majority of voters approved of Yale divesting, but also because conversation around climate change is happening on campus in unprecedented volumes.

This conversation has been fueled largely in part due to the Yale College Council’s new referendum platform. Last year’s presidential search made clear that opportunities for direct student participation in the administration’s agenda are slim to none and that something had to be done about it. The process of picking a new University President was criticized for being too cloak-and-dagger and shrouded by closed-door meetings of the Yale Corporation. Although there were some outlets for suggestion, they were few, poorly publicized and not student-run. The referendum process alleviates the divide between student and administrative bodies, since it is entirely student run and takes advantage of the YCC’s direct channel to the ears of the administration.

The referendum system is successful because it promotes activism in a directed way and, in the case of divestment, has sparked discussion of climate change issues that were previously dormant. The conversations stemming from the movement have given a face to something of an invisible phenomenon and has provided a concrete platform to rally around. Last year’s YCC elections exemplified historically abysmal student participation in College-wide elections. In contrast, the requirements of the referenda prevent campus-wide policy platforms from being decided by a measly turnout of voters. Referenda can only be considered if at least 50 percent of the student body—about 2,700 people—votes. This stringency actually serves as a mobilizing factor, prompting canvassing students to generate dialogue around the vote that might not have otherwise existed. The referendum’s framework sets a tangible benchmark for students to work towards. In turn, Fossil Free activists have become more focused and coordinated in disseminating their message. While informal rallying can contribute an inspiring display of solidarity, it doesn’t always inspire the administration.

Whether or not the administration goes through with Fossil Free Yale’s proposal is still entirely in the hands of the administration. The administration still has the power to completely ignore the issue and continue business as usual, in spite of the winning vote. Even if the administration ultimately chooses not to divest, the referendum must be considered a success. It has served as a mechanism to create momentum around divestment and has made the efforts of a single group accessible to the entire student population, laying the groundwork for future efforts to decrease Yale’s climate impact.

Students must not allow this powerful momentum to die. Divestment is only one of many solutions to the climate change crisis, so students must continue to find creative ways to make Yale more environmentally sound—using the recently published sustainability strategic plan as leverage, for example. As students, we need to keep working towards battling climate change and keep our administration accountable in doing the same. This means that the group of individuals that have had any involvement in this initiative—whether they spent months planning or seconds voting—must find new ways to devote their time to a more environmentally-conscious Yale. It is important that students not think of divestment as a final solution, but as only one step on a larger path. One action is not enough.

Divestment has given the student body and student bodies around the country the opportunity to concentrate on a singular issue that is cognizant of a greater issue that needs to be fixed. Now that the referendum is over, this focus must be concentrated on something else, because it is too precious to lose.